Research methods in HCI

label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Cristian Ion
Together with a shift of emphasis from usability engineering to user experience (UX) design where users' values, feelings and needs are regarded as important as their task-oriented performance, HCI appears to have become a cauldron in which research methods from associated disciplines are brewed. This shift implies that HCI education has to cover an ever-expanding scope of knowledge and skills in a range of research methods. Furthermore, it needs to be taken into account that research methods originally developed in a specific discipline need to be contextualized when being applied to a particular HCI study. Therefore solid and appropriate understandings of individual research methods, including their strengths and limitations, are requisite for producing valid, sound and replicable empirical findings.The course will cover topics like: Ethnography, Narrative Methods, Survey Methods, Experimental Design and Ethics. The lecturers will be addressing questions, such as:a) How can qualitative and quantitative research methods be best synergized? What are the benefits and risks associated with mixed-method approaches?b) Which principles need to be observed when contextualizing a research method originated from a specific discipline to HCI? Are there any viable guidelines enabling such contextualization?c) How would the methodological landscape evolve when the research areas in HCI metamorphose in every five or even three years?d) Are there any "uncharted waters" where HCI professionals can get further inspirations and resources for developing new research methods to address interdisciplinary problems of increasing complexity and scope?

Period
25-07-2014 - 31-07-2014 (1 weeks)

Target group
The course targets mainly PhD students, however master students with highly relevant background are welcome to join as well.

Course aim
The overarching aim of this summer school course is to improve participants understanding of significant research methods commonly or increasingly used in the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI).

Credits
4.0 ECTS creditsUpon full participation students will be awarded 4 ECTS points.

Course fee
EUR 250[Convert to USD]Accommodation and meals are not included in the price.

Course leader
Lecturers of the summer school course are:- Prof. Geraldine Fitzpatrick, TU Wien, Austria- Dr. Sian Lindley, Microsoft Research Cambridge, UK- Dr. Jettie Hoonhout, Philips Research, Netherlands- Dr. Duncan Brumby, UCLIC, University College Londo

Scholarships
Limited number of scholarships are available.

Tallinn University
Address: Uus-Sadama 5
Postal code: 10120
City: Tallinn
Country: Estonia
Website: http://summerschool.tlu.ee/
E-mail: birgitk@tlu.ee
Phone: 372 6199599